Smolder in the Afterglow | Tales of Luminozenko

Chapter 16| Hall Of Fame, The Hall Of Thousand Portraits

"The Hall of Fame?" Prince Lazul echoed from below me as I threw him the book I fetched from the highest row of the shelf we were in front of, which was about ten meters tall.

The library of the castle was way larger than the one we got at the mansion—of course. It had four floors in total and who knew how many books were kept there? But the scent of books was different as well as the atmosphere. Sure, it was quiet, but I could barely feel the coziness and warmth around here.

Most of all, being with strangers broke my comfort. Then again, I had only been to one book cafe and would only sit in a secluded corner of the shop.

"Yeah, do you mind taking me there?" I asked as I slid down the ladder and dropped to the floor with a soft thud. I cushioned my landing with the wind to not make loud noises since it was the library and the Director of the Library, Mrs. Linda was a scary woman.

A really scary woman. She was a descendant of Levio and she looked like she was going to bite us the moment we stepped in.

"Of course not," Prince Lazul answered as he took a book from his twin's grasp.

"We might as well look around the campus now that we've got free time." Prince Guren picked up the pile of books I was about to get. "Is this all of it?"

I looked around the aisle to make sure and nodded. "I think yes." I turned to him. "Let me help you."

"Eh, no need." He grinned at me. "But thanks for the offer."

"Where's Delaney?" Prince Lazul croaked from behind and the three of us darted our eyes around, trying my missing best friend.

Just then, Ny popped from the back of the shelf beside us and raised a book with the same cover as the ones we collected. "Found another one and Cal." He pointed up to the second floor.

We all looked up and found Calis waving at us, mouthing hello. As we waved back, replying with silent greetings, a young man stood beside him. He stared down at me, which Calis frowned at, and blocked his companion's view with a book.

Prince Guren gently moved me behind his back, hiding me from the guy's sight, and his twin carefully tugged and turned me away.

"I suggest you ignore him, milady," Prince Lazul mumbled and continued to guide me to another aisle. "He's the one who dared to challenge Rien."

"Him?" I raised a brow and attempted to look over my shoulder to see the guy once again, but all I could see was someone else's chest and another chest. I clicked my tongue. Damn tall people. I looked ahead in defeat. "He seems close with Cal though."

"He's not," claimed Ny from behind with a scoff, "He's just leeching on Cal, so he could be close to us Pillars. Moreover, it looks like you've caught his attention."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his comment. "Well, he's made a horrible decision."

"Huh? What do you mean—" Prince Guren was cut off by the booming chime of the bell, which got all of us cringing and groaning. "They seriously need to tone down that bell," he sighed loudly and we all headed to the Director, so she could check what we got.

Once done and warned to bring them all back within a week, we stepped out of the library and the gentlemen stashed the books inside their bracelets. The convenience of these accessories was top-notch.

Without it, the scenario would be someone carrying those books or bags for them or bumping into people and they would help them. The moment their fingers touch, there would be sparks, and they would look into each other's eyes, then it would rain flowers and the background would be pink. Cue romantic music playing around them.